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.
RejoinEU, a debate in Parliament
by Dave on October 13, 2026 at 3:36 pm
There was a petition sponsored debate in the House of Commons on “Rejoining the EU” on 12th Oct. There is a video feed from parliament TV. Otherwise here are my notes. … Notes & Links The speeches provoked me to look up some things, The debate referenced a statement by the Prime Minister, earlier in…
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 […]
And on my blog
What’s happening to Labour with respect to the EU?
by Dave on October 7, 2026 at 11:25 am
What happened at Labour Party conference and what will happen next on the subject of relations with the European Union? Burnham’s speech to Labour Conference has changed the debate in the country and the Party. The quote on the
The EU, the State of the Union and associate membership
by Dave on September 17, 2026 at 1:28 pm
Yesterday, Ursula van der Lyon delivered the annual state of the union speech from the Commission to the European Parliament. The headline reporting by much of the press and the pro rejoin commentariat it’s that she offered Canada access to
by Dave on July 23, 2026 at 3:27 pm
The European Movement write to Andy Burnham on his arrival at Downing St.. They call for the Government and Labour Party to, They now have a petition to support their demands, I have signed it, it would be great if
by Dave on July 15, 2026 at 2:48 pm
Niall Ó Conghaille and Mike Galsworthy discuss the Euro and its role in the rejoin process. This is what I think. While I agree, that for the UK to rejoin the European Union it is necessary for them to agree,
Could the UK pass the Copenhagen criteria?
by Dave on April 28, 2026 at 10:23 am
As Labour turns a corner and begins to address if it should seek to lead the country into a closer relationship with the European Union, I found a thread on bluesky which questions if the UK is sufficiently democratic, and
Is Labour about to ‘press reset’ again
by Dave on April 24, 2026 at 2:46 pm
I reviewed “Pressing Reset” , the recent Fabian pamphlet on the state of play within the mainstream of the Parliamentary Labour Party on relations with the EU. This was published on the Chartist Magazine’s website. I conclude that the Parliamentary
I updated this page, primarily to record “UK in a changing Europe”‘s documents about the level of convergence/divergence.