How much has the EU changed since Jan 20, the day the UK left. As ever, notes and links although I originally drifted a bit into the old opt-outs. I added some links about those programmes we have joined since 2020, and the glacial speed of the ‘reset’. I added [dynamic] links to my blog and wiki.
2025
Over the summer and autumn of 2025, UK in a changing Europe published three articles, on divergence, and progress in negotiating further changes after the May 25 Summit.
- UK-EU relations alignment by stealth/ in July 2025, after the summit. They describe it as stealth, I describe it as one agency at a time.
- UK-EU divergence tracker q4 2024-Q2 2025, their report landing page. They believe that we have rejoined 21 programmes.
And on the reset negotiations,
- The UK-EU reset six months after the summit where are we, a very mechanical description of the processes, I say, overoptimistic on mood, probably spot-on on money although it ignores the eight infringements.
To their list, we can add Erasmus+, announced on the 16th Dec, the student exchange scheme, and the Commons vote in favour of joining the customs union, on 9th Dec 2025.
2023
Anton Spisak, considers the changes or at least hints about it, I hope he keeps his promise to write something, although he seems to be one of the pessimists, probably because he still wants some of the opt-outs. My first take on the opt-outs is in an article entitled, Brexit’s over, it’s just about the mopping-up now, and a second go in “Mercantilist acquiescence-is not enough“, in which I argue giving up on the opt-outs is an important step in proving our willingness for a proper relationship.
Niall O’Conghaile also writes trenchantly on twitter, making I think similar points. I am not sure if he’s saying it’s unlikely we’ll rejoin, or we won;t until we recognise the interests of the new EU and its member states.
Here’s Richard Corbett, at an AEIP meeting, he’s more optimistic,
The EU have a page, describing the legislative changes since the UK left. I might do an analysis.
This on digital wallets for documents is worrying.
by Dave on February 6, 2026 at 12:06 pm
Meetings have occurred in monitoring and managing the Withdrawal Agreement and Trade & Co-operation agreement, over the last month, but what did they say and agree. I’d say, not very much. As ever, links and notes … The Communique On Citizens’ Rights They say, They welcomed the solution on the true and extra cohort enshrined…
What the EU thinks of the “reset”
by Dave on December 12, 2025 at 1:26 pm
A transcript of Ambassador Serrano, and Commissioner Šefčovič’s introductory speech/letter to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly’s 6th meeting. Meta This transcript of Ambassador Serrano, and Commissioner Šefčovič’s speeches/letter to the EU-UK Parliamentary Partnership Assembly’s 6th meeting in the Palace of Westminster was constructed by scraping the transcript from the youtube stream which is the UK’s…
by Dave on May 25, 2025 at 12:56 pm
On May 19th the European Union and the UK at a summit made a series of agreements. The UK government heralds this as a “Reset”. The European Commission have issued a press release, which has been agreed with the UK. The press release covers Defence, Connecting People, Trade and Economics, & internal security and judicial…
And on my blog
More on the “Reset”, progress over Xmas?
by Dave on February 7, 2026 at 5:02 pm
My Union branch has passed a motion for GMB Congress calling for the Labour Government to rejoin the single market and customs union now, and for the Party to ask for a mandate to rejoin at the next election. Is this needed? I am of the view that the speed of the “Reset” is glacial and that without a change in attitude they will not achieve anything of significance or notice before the end of the parliament. For the whole article, use the “Read More” button …
Single market, customs union and a poison pill.
by Dave on January 15, 2026 at 1:01 pm
In an article, Starmer prepares for parliamentary battles over imminent EU ‘reset’ bill, jessicaelgot suggested that there is movement on the “red lines”. It is clearer on reading that this is an attempt to accelerate UK agreement to the currently
by Dave on December 23, 2025 at 9:40 am
Are we moving closer to joining the EU? It’s been quite an eventful month, culminating in Wes Streeting’s call for the UK to join the EU’s Customs Union. This article looks at the current state of thinking of HMG on negotiations with the EU, comments on the velocity and direction of travel, contrasting the red lines vs the numerous programme adoptions, recent polling evidence that a majority of people in the UK now want to rejoin, the House of Commons vote on rejoining the customs union, and the announcement of the UK’s rejoining Erasmus+, the EU’s student exchange scheme. It concludes looking at a Guardian EB piece questioning if British Politics is fit to survive the current challenges and the Labour Party’s abysmal response. The full article, is overleaf, use the “Read More” to see it …
UK–EU Defence: Stronger Together
by Dave on December 11, 2025 at 6:29 pm
How damaging is the European union’s rejection of the UK’s attempts to join its SAFE programme; SAFE Is the European Union’s new defence funding programme. I quote, Euroweekly News who describe it as a significant blow to the UK’s “Reset” ambitions. For more, use the “Read More” button. …
by Dave on November 24, 2025 at 9:21 am
The Commission of the European Union has issued a report proposing what they call the digitalization of justice. At the moment, this is mainly about best practise, although it seems they plan to improve digital access to the European court’s
by Dave on November 21, 2025 at 10:35 am
I watched the first day of the EU UK parliamentary partnership assembly. The first session was on general issues & trade and the second on defence. I made some notes which you can read overleaf. Following the agenda of the meeting, I talk of Trade and Defence in two parts. Throughout, I question the UK’s half hearted commitment. Use the read more button to see the whole article. …
I updated this page, primarily to record “UK in a changing Europe”‘s documents about the level of convergence/divergence.