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.
Maastricht Convergence Criteria
by Dave on May 24, 2026 at 1:52 pm
Despite claiming to be an expert, I had not heard of the Maastricht Convergence Criteria which define a readiness to join the Euro. I asked google gemini to summarise its role. These include Price stability, Sound public finances, to ensure they are sustainable, Exchange-rate stability, to demonstrate that a Member State can manage its economy…
by Dave on April 13, 2026 at 7:51 pm
The Government has announced it plans to introduce a Bill to allow the Government to “dynamically align” with the European Union‘s single market. This comes at the end of a series of events over the last four and half months, since I wrote, https://davelevy.info/wiki/brexit-reset-winter-2025-26/ I comment on these at https://davelevy.info/labours-brexit-tanker-is-turning/, since then […]
by Dave on April 9, 2026 at 5:40 pm
A treaty has been signed between the three parties. The headline is that Gibraltar is to become part of Schengen land. Here’s some links Gibraltar becomes part of Schengen land, the Spanish border police will be present at the airport and dock. Brits keep the military bases. Both states reserve their position on sovereignty.
And on my blog
I updated this page, primarily to record “UK in a changing Europe”‘s documents about the level of convergence/divergence.