To be disappointed that neither party is supporting UK—EU freedom of movement for young people?

[user1477391263]

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2024/apr/19/sunak-rejects-offer-of-mobility-scheme-for-young-people-between-eu-and-uk?CMP=share_btn_url

The fact that Sunak has rejected this is really unfortunate, though not perhaps surprising. But I’m just really disappointed that Labour has turned this down as well.

This was an offer by the European Commission. Turning it down looks like such a slap in the face, at a time when the UK is in a hard spot and would benefit from closer and more normal relations with the rest of Europe. Having this deal would have felt like at least a tiny step towards rejoining the EU at some point (and developing a more normal “EU membership-like” setup in the meantime). And young people will lose out on all kinds of potential opportunities.

I guess Labour is reluctant to do anything that looks even a tiny bit “rejoin-like,” lest they piss off all the voters who voted for Brexit. Given the size of their majority that is expected, I really feel Labour could have taken a risk on this one, though.

Having this deal would have felt like at least a tiny step towards rejoining the EU at some point

you've answered your own question there

What @user411966691966 said.

I know what you mean, but reading to the bottom of the article makes it seem a bit more complicated than that. I'd hope that Labour could move towards some form of youth mobility visa, which would still be subject to controls, when in office.

People voted brexit precisely to stop freedom of movement

My understanding is this is all about helping the EU with its youth unemployment than allowing free movement of 18 to 30s.

Its this section that reinforced my view

"If approved, it would mean millions of young people could come to the UK to fill the gap left by Brexit in the hospitality sector, and also in universities. It would mean seasonal work, from restaurant work to jobs in ski resorts, would be available again to British young people in EU countries."

I have always viewed "jobs in ski resorts" as a way for a small section of the UK population to get an extended ski holiday.

if you look at the pre brexit breakdown of the number of UK citizens in the EU you had roughly 1.4M of which 800K were retirees in Ireland France and Spain and only about 600K who actually worked in the EU compared to the 3.4M EU citizens who came to the UK.

British youth generally didnt want to work or live in the EU either due to language issues of lack of benefits and rules for none citizens etc.

The voting split on this is no surprise as it's such a polarising subject. Nothing we like better than shooting ourselves in the foot. Again.

I was disappointed too, OP. There are large gaps in our eg hospitality industry and I know for a fact many young people here are gutted about the possibilities of working for a period of time in the EU. Tons of my friends did this a decade or two ago.

But I think, rightly or wrongly it’s this:

I guess Labour is reluctant to do anything that looks even a tiny bit “rejoin-like,” lest they piss off all the voters who voted for Brexit

And deviation whatsoever from Labour to deviate from the Tories re:Brexit will see the largely RW media, particularly the tabloids, amplify it and use it as a weapon against Lab, what looks like a large victory could suddenly become a lot tighter.

It is hugely depressing, but yes given that people who voted for Brexit overwhelmingly did so specifically to end freedom of movement, there’s no political will to reintroduce it.