London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan is to tell EU diplomats “Brexit was a mistake” and argue stronger ties with the bloc would help fight Donald Trump’s tariff threats.
He will say the UK’s withdrawal from the EU “continues to have a negative impact” and will promise to make the case for “being bold” to seek closer alignment.
The recently knighted mayor is hosting a meeting of the EU heads of mission, including the EU ambassador and UK ambassadors of all 27 EU member states.
The Labour mayor will be speaking out despite a minister saying a “period of silence would be most welcome” after Sir Sadiq warned of “resurgent fascism” under Mr Trump’s leadership.
He will use the meeting to urge the government to back a youth mobility scheme with the EU, saying allowing under-30s from the bloc to live, work and study in the UK and vice versa would “help to aid economic growth” and give them “important life experiences”.
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The government has said resetting relations with the EU is a priority but has ruled out returning to the single market, customs union or freedom of movement.
It has resisted proposals from Brussels for a youth mobility scheme over concerns it could be seen to cross those red lines and be accused of going back on the Brexit vote.
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However, Sir Sadiq will push ahead with calls for the scheme and will also say he is “keen for us to look at how we can make it easier for schoolchildren” from the EU to visit the UK.
“I’m a proud European and of the view that Brexit was a mistake that continues to have a negative impact – not just on my city and country, but on the European community as a whole,” Sir Sadiq will say.
“I remain passionate about growing and improving our relationship across every area possible, and I believe this is essential if we’re to effectively tackle a host of shared challenges – relating to trade, our economies, security, the environment and the rise of an intolerant and anti-democratic populism.”
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And, without naming Mr Trump, he is expected to reference “trade wars and tariffs posing a real threat to international affairs” to say he is “convinced” the UK should be doing more to “strengthen our relationship as a counterweight to those trends”.
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A government spokesman said: “We are committed to resetting the relationship with the EU to improve the British people’s security, safety and prosperity.
“But we have been clear there will be no return to freedom of movement, the customs union or the single market.”
