UK’s former Brexit negotiator says Burnham should ditch much of Starmer’s EU reset if made PM – Europe live

Lord David Frost, the UK's former Brexit negotiator, stated that any future prime minister, including Keir Starmer, would have significant political latitude to improve relations with the European Union. Frost criticized the outgoing prime minister's team for insufficient deliberation on the choices and processes involved in Brexit. Polling expert John Curtice indicated that the next UK prime minister would possess ample political space to move closer to Europe. Public opinion in the UK and Europe is currently divided on whether the next British leader will pursue a closer or more distant relationship with the EU compared to Keir Starmer's potential approach. Labour's voter base shows a strong inclination towards rejoining the EU, with approximately three-quarters to four-fifths of their voters supporting this stance. Curtice noted that public opinion has shifted since the 2016 referendum, with current sentiment leaning towards rejoining the EU by roughly 60% to 40%. This shift is partly attributed to leave voters being less likely to express a desire to remain outside the EU than remain voters are to express a desire to rejoin. Furthermore, a significant portion of the UK's population, approximately 10 years' worth, was too young to vote in the 2016 referendum. The perceptions of these younger demographics regarding the consequences of Brexit, particularly on the economy, align more closely with the views of remain voters than those of leave voters.